Summary
The surname Patterson has Scottish origins and is believed to derive from the personal name Patrick, meaning 'noble'. It was first recorded in the early 14th century and has a rich history associated with various clans and families.205423
Pattersons in the USA117th
most common last name in the USAHistorical figures and celebrities called Patterson
FrederickDouglass
Frederick Douglass was an African-American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. After escaping from slavery, he became a leader of the abolitionist movement, gaining fame for his powerful speeches and writings.EdwardTeller
Edward Teller was a Hungarian-American theoretical physicist known as 'the father of the hydrogen bomb.' He made significant contributions to the field of nuclear physics and was a key figure in the development of the atomic bomb and nuclear energy.ElizabethPatterson
Elizabeth Patterson Bonaparte was an American socialite and wife of Jerome Bonaparte, the younger brother of Napoleon Bonaparte. She played a prominent role in European society, known for her beauty and extravagant lifestyle.FloydPatterson
Floyd Patterson was an American professional boxer who became the first to win the undisputed heavyweight championship twice. He was known for his speed, agility, and powerful punches, and he held various boxing records throughout his career.DorothyVaughan
Dorothy Vaughan was an African-American mathematician and computer programmer who worked at NASA during the early days of the space program. She was a key part of the team that calculated trajectories for space missions, making significant contributions to space exploration.JosephinePatterson
Josephine Patterson Albright was an American social reformer and philanthropist. She was actively involved in issues like women's suffrage, child labor laws, and improving living conditions for the poor. She co-founded the National Urban League to address racial inequality.JohnPatterson
John Patterson was an American politician who served as the Governor of Alabama from 1959 to 1963. He played a significant role in the civil rights movement, often clashing with civil rights activists and advocating for segregation.AlicePatterson
Alice Patterson is an American author and speaker known for her work in promoting racial reconciliation within the Christian Church. She has written books and organized conferences aimed at bridging racial divides and fostering understanding.LouisePatterson
Louise Patterson was an American evangelist and co-founder of the United Pentecostal Council of the Assemblies of God. She was known for her powerful preaching and charismatic presence, and she played a significant role in the Pentecostal movement.WolcottPatterson
Wolcott Patterson was an American journalist and political analyst. He worked for major news outlets and was known for his insightful commentary and analysis of political events and trends.Patterson Genealogy
OriginsThe surname 'Patterson' is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the given name Patrick, which means 'noble' or 'patrician' in Latin. The name 'Patterson' was often used as a patronymic surname, indicating that the person was the son of a man named Patrick.
Geographic DistributionThe surname 'Patterson' is most commonly found in English-speaking countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It has also been found in smaller numbers in other parts of the world where Scottish immigrants have settled.
VariationsSome variations of the surname 'Patterson' include 'Paterson', 'Pattison', and 'Pattersen'. These variations may be attributed to regional accents or spelling changes over time.